If you’re searching for hypnotherapy in Belfast, one name comes up again and again: Alan Gilchrist of Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre. With four decades of practice behind him and over 95,000 clients seen, Alan has built one of Northern Ireland’s most established hypnotherapy practices, based on Lisburn Road in Belfast and running one day clinics right across the region.
You can find the full details of the business, including contact information and location, on its LinkUp NI listing. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre offers, how the Fast Track approach works, and what to expect if you’re considering hypnotherapy for the first time.
Who is Alan Gilchrist?
Alan Gilchrist has been practising hypnosis and hypnotherapy for around 40 years, having started out as a hypnotherapist in Belfast in the early 1980s. Over that time, he’s developed his own style of hypnosis and hypnotherapy, which he describes as different from the more conventional approach most people associate with the practice.
His work has been featured on UTV and BBC, and covered widely throughout the media. Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre has also picked up recognition in recent years, named Most Trusted Hypnotherapy Centre 2025 and 2026 in the UK and Global 100 awards, and Best Hypnotherapy Belfast at the Quality Business Awards in 2023.
What is “Fast Track Hypnosis”?
The centre’s approach is branded as Fast Track Hypnosis, and it’s built around practical, focused sessions rather than lengthy, open-ended therapy. One of the clearest examples is the stop smoking and vaping programme, which is designed to help people quit in under 30 minutes. Every session at Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre is private and one to one, so there’s no group setting involved, just Alan and the client working through the issue directly.
What does Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre treat?
Alan works with a wide range of issues, and the treatments listed on the Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre treatments page include:
- Stop smoking and vaping (under 30 minutes)
- Weight control and gastric band hypnosis
- Interview nerves
- Learning to relax
- Overcoming phobias
- Overcoming blushing
- Fear of flying
- Panic attacks
- Goal setting
- Exam stress
- Sports motivation
- Driving test nerves
- Increasing confidence
- Stopping nail biting
- Insomnia
- Trichotillomania (hair pulling)
That’s a broad spread, and it reflects how flexible hypnotherapy can be as a tool. Whether the goal is breaking a long-standing habit, managing anxiety before a big event, or simply learning to switch off and relax, the underlying principle is the same: accessing the subconscious mind to shift unwanted behaviours and thought patterns.
One Day Clinics across Northern Ireland
Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre isn’t limited to its Lisburn Road base. Alan runs one day clinics in Ballymena, Coleraine, Cookstown and Omagh, and further afield, which makes it far easier for people outside Belfast to access his services without a long journey. Recent clinics have been held at the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena, the Lodge Hotel in Coleraine, and the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh, with dates published on the centre’s website as they’re confirmed.
If you’re based in the Ballymena, Coleraine or Omagh areas and have been putting off a trip into Belfast for a session, it’s worth checking whether a one day clinic is coming to a venue nearer you.
What to expect if you’re new to hypnotherapy
For anyone who hasn’t tried hypnotherapy before, it can feel like an unfamiliar step. A few practical points from how Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre operates may help:
- Sessions are private and individual. You won’t be grouped with other clients, and each session is tailored to you specifically.
- Hypnosis is a natural state. Alan describes it as similar to being absorbed in a book or film, or forgetting part of a familiar journey while driving. It isn’t the loss-of-control experience sometimes portrayed on television.
- Some issues can be addressed quickly. The stop smoking programme, for example, is structured to work in a single session under 30 minutes, rather than requiring weeks of appointments.
- There’s a free way to try it first. Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre offers a free relaxation session online, best experienced with headphones, so you can get a feel for the approach before booking. It’s worth noting this isn’t suitable to use while driving or operating machinery.
What clients say
The testimonials on the Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre website speak to the kind of results people experience. One client, who had struggled for years with extreme blushing in social situations, described feeling like “a new woman” after three sessions, able to apply the techniques learned whenever she felt uncomfortable. Another client said Alan had done more for them in a single 30-minute session than doctors, medicine and counsellors had managed in three years.
Results will naturally vary from person to person, and hypnotherapy isn’t a substitute for medical advice where a medical condition is involved, but these accounts give a useful sense of the practical, results-focused style Alan is known for.
Getting in touch
Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre is based at 37 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AA. You can reach Alan directly on 02890 333303 or 07889 988075, or get in touch through the contact page on the centre’s website. The business also keeps in touch with clients and prospective clients through Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
For a full overview of the business, including its location and category on the directory, take a look at the Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre listing on LinkUp NI.
Frequently asked questions
How long has Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre been operating?
Alan Gilchrist has been practising hypnosis and hypnotherapy for around 40 years, having started out in Belfast in the early 1980s.
Does Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre only operate in Belfast?
No. Alongside the Lisburn Road base in Belfast, one day clinics are held in Ballymena, Coleraine, Cookstown, Omagh and other locations across Northern Ireland.
Can I try hypnotherapy before booking a session?
Yes. Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre offers a free relaxation session on its website, which is best experienced with headphones and should not be used while driving or operating machinery.
What issues can hypnotherapy help with?
Belfast Hypnotherapy Centre treats a wide range of issues, including stopping smoking or vaping, weight control, phobias, panic attacks, blushing, fear of flying, exam stress, insomnia and building confidence.